The Hindu Business Line : Demand improves for Assam CTC leaf, dust

Kolkata, Sept. 2 CTC leaf and dust of Assam varieties in North Indian auction centres at Kolkata, Siliguri and Guwahati witnessed an improved demand at fully firm to occasionally dearer levels, with Dooars varieties selling around last, according to J Thomas & Company. The major blenders operated actively with good support. There were export inquiries for larger brokens. The highest price was Rs 116 per kg.

Orthodox teas saw sustained inquiry from the CIS countries and the.West Asia. The prices held fully firm with smaller brokens occasionally appreciating in value. A line of Assam Green Tea was sold at a price of Rs 105 per kg. The highest orthodox prices was Rs 555 per kg.

Darjeeling varieties also saw a good demand at last levels with selected better sorts recording an appreciation.

CROP & WEATHER

The weather conditions were seasonal and cropping largely normalised. However, reports from upcountry indicate the crops in August will fall short of the last year’s level in the same month.

INTERNATIONAL

Mombasa auctions saw a strong and improved demand for Kenyan teas at dearer rates, following enhanced buying from Pakistan and Egypt. The West Asia, the UK and the CIS buyers also operated with strength.

In Sri Lanka, there was a fair general demand at irregular rates with leafy and tippy varieties occasionally tending lower. Iran was active while CIS lent moderate support. Sri Lanka’s crop for July was ahead by 2.45 milion kg vis-À-vis the same month last year but cumulatively the uptodate figure was lower by as much as 18.1 mkg, or a drop of about 10 per cent compared to the same period last year.